Some time back, Little Boy shared an incident in school which I find appalling. It happened during a particular Maths lesson where the teacher was teaching the class a very complicated maths concept (one that involved the calculation of nth value). Despite the teacher's thorough explanation, a few students were still confused and were unable to grasp the concept fully. Without giving up, the teacher went on to explain a few more times to help those few students understand the lesson. (I applaud the teacher's professionalism and patience.) While the teacher was repeating her lesson, a student who had understood the concept earlier made a disparaging remark (not loud enough for the teacher's ears but audible to the students sitting around her). She didn't think those few 'slow learners' (in her own words) deserve to be in the same GEP class WITH HER! Such arrogance! And she's only 10!
I took the opportunity to teach Little Boy a lesson on humility using Philippians 2:3-4. and felt mighty pleased with myself for having seized this teachable moment. Alas! In the span of less than 3 days, Little Boy committed the same act of arrogance at home and the victim was ME!
I was coaching Little Boy and made a mistake in my answer. Not only was Little Boy quick in correcting me, he went on to judge my intelligence. I was flabbergasted! I was too prideful to admit my mistake, so, I picked on his arrogance and his prejudice statement. Consequently, we had a big row and he ended up in tears and I, in great remorse and shame.
Later that evening, I shared the incident with my husband and his 1st response was, 'So, was it a mistake to put him in GEP?' My husband was referring to our initial concern that putting Little Boy in GEP may inflat his ego too much for his own good.
I cannot deny that kids in GEP have an elevated status and most do think highly of themselves. Relatives and friends never fail to exclaim in admiration when they found out Little Boy is in the GEP. How not to stick your nose up in the air when you have people around you exclaiming how smart and privileged you are to be in GEP? But, has being in GEP really turned Little Boy into a conceited peacock? I don't think so. Little Boy was never a humble mouse to begin with.
When I shook my head at the student who passed the disparaging remark on her 'slower' fellow classmates, I was already showing my prejudice against her. My pride refused to allow me to admit that Little Boy is indeed cleverer than me in some areas. So, how can I teach Little Boy humility when I am as judgemental and prideful as he? It is very difficult but that does not mean I should stop trying. I guess I can start by consciously putting to mind and living out Philippians 2:3-4 and hopefully, Little Boy will come to embrace these verses and live them out in his own life too.
Pride and prejudice, all of us are guilty of them. But I believe they can be eradicated by us making a conscious effort to value others above ourselves and to put the interests of others before ours. Well, it is easier said than done, but that does not mean it cannot be done.
